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What to Expect at an Eating Disorder Treatment Program Near Me

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What to Expect at an Eating Disorder Treatment Program Near Me

The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) estimates that nearly 29 million people in the United States will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. Eating disorders affect people of all ages, races, body types, and genders. These conditions are serious and complex and require comprehensive treatment.

This article will explore eating disorders and how to treat them. You will learn:

  • Common types of eating disorders
  • Myths about eating disorders
  • What to expect in eating disorder treatment
  • Where to find an eating disorder therapist in Florida

If you or someone you love struggles with an eating disorder, you are not alone. Find effective treatment and compassionate care at Agape Behavioral Health. Reach out to our intake team to explore our programs or schedule an intake appointment.

What is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is a mental health condition. These conditions cause disordered behaviors around food and eating. People may have a poor body image or worry excessively about their weight and body size.

Individuals with eating disorders may engage in unhealthy or restrictive behaviors around food. They may eat very little, purge after eating, or feel out of control of their food intake.

Here is a quick overview of several common eating disorder types.

Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that causes people to take extreme measures to control their weight. People with anorexia may be very restrictive about their calorie intake. They may also vomit after eating, engage in excessive exercise, or use diet drugs to reduce their weight.

Bulimia

People with bulimia nervosa typically engage in bingeing and purging behaviors. During a binge, they may eat a large quantity of food in a short period. After a binge, they may purge by:

  • Forcing themselves to vomit
  • Restricting food for a long period
  • Using laxatives
  • Engaging in excessive exercise

People with bulimia may have an intense preoccupation with their weight or body size. They often have a poor self-image and intense anxiety about their body’s appearance.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder

People with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder may limit their diet to a very narrow range of foods. They may not have anxiety about their weight or body shape. Instead, they are more likely to struggle with anxiety about aspects of eating (choking, feeling sick, vomiting) or the way foods look, taste, or feel.

Binge eating disorder

People with binge-eating disorders may binge by eating a large quantity of food in a short period. During a binge, people may feel out of control. Afterward, they may struggle with disgust, guilt, or shame.

Eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and others can become life-threatening without treatment. People must seek treatment and ongoing support to make a full recovery.

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Common Eating Disorder Myths

Old or outdated information and myths about eating disorders can keep people from getting treatment when they need it. It is crucial to understand how eating disorders affect people and who can develop them.

Here are some common myths about eating disorders.

Parents cause eating disorders

Some people may believe parents’ attitudes and behaviors may cause a child to develop disordered eating. While parents can influence a child’s approach to eating, there is no single cause of eating disorders.

Parents and families can be instrumental in helping a child recover from an eating disorder. Parents must take action if they believe a child is struggling with disordered eating.

Eating disorders are a choice

An eating disorder is not a choice. Instead, it is a mental health condition with many possible causes. While some people may develop disordered eating after attempting to get healthy or lose weight, no one chooses to have an eating disorder.

People with eating disorders look alike

For many years, popular media portrayed people with eating disorders as young, White, female, and very thin. However, anyone can develop disordered eating. People of all ages, weights, and body shapes may struggle with disordered patterns of eating, restriction, purging, and other behaviors.

People with eating disorders just need to eat more

People may imagine that someone with an eating disorder can “cure” themselves simply by eating more. This myth ignores the fact that eating disorders are mental health conditions with varied symptoms.

People with eating disorders need compassionate, evidence-based treatment and ongoing support to overcome these conditions. Spreading awareness is the first step toward better understanding and treatment of eating disorders.

What to Expect in Eating Disorder Treatment

Eating disorder therapy can help people identify and address the roots of their disordered eating.

Here are several types of therapy used to treat eating disorders.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people explore the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT can help people change destructive thought patterns and gain new skills to reduce stress and improve eating habits.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavior therapy helps people develop practical skills to cope with challenges and stress. People learn how to reduce impulsive and destructive behaviors, which can help people manage an eating disorder effectively.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and commitment therapy helps people stop avoiding challenging thoughts and learn to accept them. It helps people set and achieve goals related to eating, health, and other aspects of daily functioning.

Contact the specialists at Agape Behavioral Health to learn more about the therapies we use to help people recover from an eating disorder.

Find an Eating Disorder Therapist in Florida

Recovery from an eating disorder is possible. Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about treating eating disorders or our programs that support long-term recovery. Reach out to verify your insurance, ask questions, or schedule an intake appointment now.

References:

  1. National Institute of Health (NIH): Eating Disorders
  2. JAMA Network: Prevention and Early Identification of Eating Disorders
  3. NIH: An overview of the treatment of eating disorders in adults and adolescents: pharmacology and psychotherapy

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The goal of the content provided by Agape Behavioral Healthcare is to provide readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information in mental and behavioral healthcare. Our medical reviewers specialize in mental health and addiction medicine and are committed to helping our readers make informed decisions about their health. We adhere to strict accuracy standards and source information exclusively from credible sources.

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